Women Leaders Association of Montenegro (ALCG), which brings together women leaders from various sectors, has officially begun its operations with the establishment of its Board of Directors.
The Association’s goal is to contribute to greater representation of women in business, politics, and public life, to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women’s leadership in all spheres of society, as well as to highlight women leaders, improve gender policies, and implement strategies that empower women in decision-making and leadership positions.

At the head of the Board of Directors is Marijana Kadić Bojanić – President of ALCG and Executive Director of TV Vijesti and Daily Press.
Zorica Mišković Pavićević – Executive Director of BIG Fashion Podgorica – was elected Vice President and Deputy President.
Founding members of the Board include Anđela Radosavović – Executive Director of the Association of Managers of Montenegro, and Sanja Bracanović – Director of Marketing and Sales at TV Vijesti.
In addition to representatives of the Association of Managers of Montenegro, members from the business sector include:
Nina Drakić – President of the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro,
Svetlana Vuksanović – President of the Board of the American Chamber of Commerce, and Suzana Radulović – Secretary General of the Montenegrin Employers Federation.
From the ranks of companies, entrepreneurs, NGOs, and state agencies, members of the ALCG Board include:
Maja Krstić – Board Member, CKB Bank; Ana Golubović – Board Member, Hipotekarna Banka; Danijela Vukoslavović – Board Member, Addiko Bank; Slađana Raičković – Founder, Finance Plus; Tanja Čepić – Founder, Notary Office Tanja Čepić; Ljilja Pižurica – Executive Director, Nelt MNE; Mirjana Mijušković – Executive Director, Glosarij; Kornelia Santai Nagy – Executive Director, Yellow Event Service; Stanka Pejanović – General Director, Triglav International BG; Snežana Đurović – Director, Montenegrin Investment Agency; Sunčica Bakić – Director, Agency for Electronic Media (AEM); Anđela Raičković – Executive Director, Finexcellence Audit Company; Jelena Radonjić Đurković – Executive Director, Reinvent Communications; Milena Varagić – Executive Director, Water Group; Bojana Radović – Executive Director, Glovo MNE; Ana Mihailović – Commercial Director for Strategy and Product Development, One Montenegro; Nataša Janičić – Deputy Executive Director, Sava Insurance; Žana Burić – Deputy Director, Hilton Podgorica; Jelena Popović – Board Member, NALL Group; Tatjana Keković – HR Director, Erste Bank; Bojana Maraš – Head of Mtel Digital Factory; Jelena Marojević Galić – Program Manager, Parks Dinarides.

Speaking on behalf of both the Women Leaders Association of Montenegro and the Association of Managers of Montenegro – the leading organizations representing leadership and management in the country and patrons of the event – Tina Raičević, Communications Manager at One Montenegro, stated:

“In a world that doesn’t play by the same rules, where a woman must be the best just to be considered good enough, we gather today with a clear goal – to change the game. This moment is not just the inauguration of Women Leaders Association of Montenegro but the beginning of a new chapter in which women’s strength and potential are recognized, valued, and supported. I am delighted to see many of you here – women who have bravely stepped forward, built your paths, and came to support another important platform for achieving equality in our society. Thank you for that.”

Women make up 50.8% of Montenegro’s population, yet only one-third of real estate is owned by women. Although they represent more than half the population, only 16% of agricultural land belongs to women, and only 23% of businesses are majority-owned by women. In state-owned enterprises, just 20% of executive directors are women. “It seems we are equal only where nature decides – and even that we try to change through selective abortions,” she emphasized. “These numbers reflect systemic barriers that prevent women from participating equally in decision-making and economic life. They are also a call to action. We can no longer allow women’s voices to be mere whispers in the background while decisions shaping our future are made without us. Just look at the photographs and videos of meetings where governments are being formed.”

“That is why today we are taking a step forward. Women Leaders Association of Montenegro is not just another organization – it is a community dedicated to real change, empowering women to take their rightful place in all key areas of society – from the economy and politics to education and culture.”

President of ALCG, Marijana Kadić Bojanić, emphasized that this is one of the most powerful gatherings to have taken place in Montenegro in recent years.

“Here we have 200 strong, educated, capable, and dedicated women, along with those who support us! We have united around one goal – to build a strong organization that will help us prepare for the times ahead, and to make it easier for future generations to navigate the thorny career paths still shaped by our traditional society. In an era when the world is changing faster than ever, the role of women leaders becomes increasingly important. Our strength lies in our ability to inspire, support, and motivate one another,” said Kadić Bojanić.

She also noted that when discussing women’s leadership, one cannot overlook the importance of European standards related to gender equality.

“The European Union sets high criteria for gender equality and women’s inclusion in decision-making, particularly highlighting the role of women in business. Statistics show that organizations led by women achieve better financial results and often bring innovative ideas that improve business performance. That is why we are creating a platform for experience and idea exchange, as well as a mentorship program. Together, we will confront and overcome barriers that women face in the business world,” added Kadić Bojanić.

Opening the gathering, Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević emphasized that women in Montenegro are the bearers of European values.
“With the establishment of Women Leaders Association, we are paving the way for a future in which women take their rightful place in society, business, and all other fields. There is no progress in society without the progress of women. We are laying the foundations of a platform that empowers women to fight for equality and encourages men to join this effort. Every woman who joins this cause today contributes to building a stronger Montenegro ready for the EU. Together, we can reshape society so that equality becomes the rule, not the exception. Together and courageously toward Montenegro’s European future,” said Minister Gorčević.

The official launch was marked by the panel “Women’s Leadership on the Path to the EU – Challenges and Opportunities,” where participants discussed key topics related to gender equality, women’s leadership, and the barriers women face in attaining leadership positions, as well as ways institutions can support gender balance in management roles.

The panel featured Maida Gorčević, Minister of European Affairs; Marijana Kadić Bojanić, CEO of Vijesti and President of ALCG; Maja Raičević, Executive Director of the Center for Women’s Rights; and Budimir Raičković, President of the Association of Managers of Montenegro.

In a set of questions related to the establishment and development of the Association of Women Leaders, Marijana Kadić pointed out that the Association of Women Leaders should be an umbrella organization for all organizations dealing with gender equality.

“The goal is to unite all forces for a better environment and work for women. It is not easy for women in Montenegro because they live in a deeply traditional and patriarchal society. However, different times are coming and we need to be a step ahead. The disproportion between the number of educated women and women in office is still a concern. You have no reason to be afraid of letting women hold high positions,” said Kadić Bojanić.

Apart from patriarchy, Kadić Bojanić highlights the problem of balance between work and family.

“We are the ones who have to take care of children, their health and school. Many women give up leading positions because they are afraid that family life would be disrupted. Social services must be improved, if that system were more organized or if companies provided supplementary social insurance, it would be alleviated. If those barriers were removed and if we had the conditions that our colleagues in the West have, we would more easily establish a balance,” she stated.

During the panel, Minister Gorčević pointed out that she sees the Association of Women Leaders as an additional platform that will further empower women from various branches, not only from public life.

“Everything starts from the system and the setting itself. If you have a system that requires women to be in leadership positions, you have no problem whether you will find women who will find themselves in those positions. The Ministry of European Affairs with international partners, in the first place with UNDP, we are working on an Action Plan regarding gender balance and equality that we will be able to copy to all other ministries. This is a matter of additional education on this topic, but changes are also needed to the Law on the Government, the Law on the Assembly and the Law on Business Companies which will provide women with secure positions. We must put certain things in the law, and then change the awareness of women’s empowerment,” said the minister.

Gorčević notes that women still have a fear of the spoken word, whether it is worth it, whether it has a place there.

“Every woman can say anything if she wants to. The question is how we raise boys and girls. Girls should be encouraged to take on certain responsibilities tomorrow and be louder,” she stated.

Gorčević noted that the criticisms mentioned in the European Commission Report are correct, and that more attention should be paid to the issue of femicide.

It is not enough to adopt laws, it is necessary to implement them. The absence of an answer to the question of femicide shows all the vulnerability of society. The issue of femicide is a key issue we must deal with now. Involvement of all institutions is required. It is very important to send a political message about how important this issue is and how alarming the situation is. At the Government session, we will present all the recommendations to the ministries and present what their obligations are in the coming period,” the minister added.

Maja Raičević, as a long-time activist for women’s rights, pointed out that for the improvement of gender equality, connection and communication are important, and in this she sees the main potential of the Association of Women Leaders.

“Today, women have borne a huge burden to balance their private and professional lives. Women who want to contribute to the fight for gender equality do not have space or time to communicate and come to an agreement, solidarity is insufficiently affirmed. We cannot do without that connection. We need mutual support and communication between women. We cooperate with all social actors and especially women who share the same thoughts. Women could transform society in a short time and I believe that the Association of Women Leaders will have a very big impact on that transformation,” she stated. Raicevic.

Raičević added that the economic empowerment of women is a matter of the survival of society and something that the Association of Women Leaders will help with.

“The potential of women to contribute to economic progress is insufficiently recognized. I know examples of women who have managed to break the cycle of poverty by providing education for their children. We are not using the enormous human capital that has enormous transformative power. We need a set of directives that can help change this. The Directive on the balance between private and professional life needs to be implemented. Fathers should also take their share of the responsibilities of using parental leave. It is very important to talk about the benefit of economic empowerment of women because it contributes to better quality of everyone’s life in society. Let’s empower women to find themselves on the labor market and get a job,” she said.

Budimir Raičković congratulated the impressive composition of the Management Board of the Association of Women Leaders.

“The Association of Women Leaders received significant support from the Association of Managers, and I think that was the first step for women who can contribute and who have references in their professional careers to be here today. The next step is to strengthen the network, enable mentoring, and invite us men who are in leading positions to start educating ourselves about women’s rights in traditional Montenegro,” said Raičković.

The meeting was held under the slogan ‘Women’s leadership a step forward for Montenegro’ and the first Declaration on women’s leadership and equality was adopted, which will be sent to the president, the prime minister and the government, the parliament and the public.

In Podgorica, November 8, 2024.